Lot 1027: Joshua Biehn (Canadian, 19th c.), "Alfred Butler",

Joshua Biehn (Canadian, 19th c.), "Alfred Butler", oil on panel, signed and dated "1899" upper right, newspaper story en verso, 4 1/2 in. x 4 1/2 in., in a period gilt frame. Note: According to the newspaper article en verso, Alfred Butler was born into slavery in Nashville, Tennessee. Assisted by the underground railroad and Frederick Douglas, he escaped slavery and finally settled in Canada where he became a successful news vendor.